The pick of the pubs

With the dream of owning a pub still alive among licensees, Michelle Perrett looks at what's available.

Despite spiralling property prices, licensees still dream of owning their own pub. According to The Publican Market Report 2003, a survey of over 600 licensees, 30 per cent are looking to buy a new pub this year and 61 per cent want to buy their own freehold. However, 26 per cent of licensees want to take on a tenancy or lease.

Licensed property agents have been crying out to get their hands on good freehold properties to sell while increasing numbers of licensees have been forced to take on tenancies and leases because of the lack of quality freeholds available at the price they can afford.

Whether you are looking for a leasehold for £100,000 or a freehold site for up to £750,000, here are some ideas of the kind of pubs available on the market at the moment.

• Licensees keen to take on a pub in Cornwall could get a leasehold on the Plume of Feathers​ in Redruth for £85,000.
  
  The business has a good local following and is well known for its real ales and food, with 40 per cent of turnover being attributed to food sales. The pub employs a full-time chef and part-time staff, opening lunchtimes and evenings.
  
  The period property is detached and has a traditional character with exposed beams, large open fireplaces and period features.

The pub has two main bar areas, a snug bar and a 48-cover restaurant. The private accommodation on the first floor has an office, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge and a kitchen.

Price:​ £85,000 leaseholdAgent:​ The Stonesmith PartnershipTel:​ 01392 201262

For licensees who want the challenge of a haunted pub, the Stag Inn​, in the centre of the village of Rackenford between Dartmoor and Exmoor, could be the one for you.

The thatched inn, which was built in 1210, is rumoured to be visited by the ghost of Tom King who was reputed to drink at the pub and was a close compatriot of the highwayman Dick Turpin.

For years the village was a staging post linking the ancient market towns of Tiverton and South Molton.

The property is one of the few surviving "tunnel inns", so called because an entrance to the bars is via a tunnel passage into which drovers could herd their stock. The pub has low beamed ceilings, inglenook fireplaces and Jacobean panelling.

Price:​ £500,000 freehold Agent:​ James A BakerTel:​ 01225 789343

The Coventry Arms​, in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, is recognised for its food and cask ales in the latest edition of Alistair Sawday's Pubs & Inns of England & Wales.

The roadside inn is located on the main Dorchester to Wimborne Road and benefits from a busy trade from local residents and visitors throughout the year.

The site was listed in the Domesday Book and it is understood a pub has stood on the spot since 1426. The pub has public and lounge bar areas, a dining room/restaurant with covers for up to 50, as well as a fully equipped commercial kitchen, patio and beer garden, car park, ground floor beer cellar and owner's private accommodation which includes three bedrooms, lounge, fitted kitchen and bathroom.

The pub is operated on a 10-year lease with Enterprise Inns, dating from 2002 at a current rent of £40,000 a year. The next rent review is in 2008. The trade is split 60/40 in favour of wet and the business enjoys a considerable turnover with good profits. Price:​ £159,950 leaseholdAgent:​ BettesworthsTel:​ 01803 212142

The Waggon & Horses​ in the Hertfordshire village of Great Amwell, near Ware, is on the market for £150,000 for the leasehold interest.

The building is believed to date back to 1862 and has an established clientele comprising local residents and people from further afield attracted by the "big value" Sunday lunches and real ales.

The two-storey property comprises a public bar known as Ted's Bar, and restaurant bar leading to the main 70-cover restaurant. The owner's accommodation has five bedrooms, a lounge, separate dining room, kitchen and a good sized bathroom.

Price:​ £150,000 leaseholdAgent:​ Christie & CoTel:​ 01908 300950

The Artful Dodger​, Mill Hill, North London, (above) is located on a retail parade on the busy A1.

It currently trades as a sports bar with big screen TVs, pool and darts areas with a trade kitchen to the rear. It is thought that the bar is an ideal opportunity for a multiple operator to purchase a free-of-tie site.

Price:​ £50,000 leaseholdAgent:​ FleuretsTel:​ 020 7636 8992

For a comprehensive search of available properties to suit your needs and budget click "/properties">here.

Have you signed up yet?​